Big names in Indian Super League will attract youngsters: Jerome Valcke

FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke Wednesday said the presence of big stars in the ongoing Indian Super League (ISL) will lure youngsters into taking up football, helping the growth of the sport in India.

New Delhi: FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke Wednesday said the presence of big stars in the ongoing Indian Super League (ISL) will lure youngsters into taking up football, helping the growth of the sport in India.

"Kids everywhere are dreaming about their stars and it's a way to attract more youngsters. We must make sure that we're all together with one goal to develop football in India and help India play in the World Cup sooner," Valcke said during a session when Assocham (Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India) signed an MoU with All India Football Federation (AIFF) to promote the sport in India.

"India has huge potential and the Indian Super League is helping. What is important is that whenever you do something at the top level, you don't forget about the grassroots programmes and to develop football at the level of the kids and then come to highest level," the FIFA secretary general added.

Valcke also hoped that the 2017 U-17 World Cup will help India get a lot of football infrastructure.

"FIFA has given India the responsibility of hosting the under-17 World Cup in 2017 which is a huge milestone and would also help in the long run, particularly with infrastructure," he said.